jeremy taylor – A Collection of Prayers

September 30

Eternal God, you created me to do your work among people, and to serve you now according to my abilities. Teach me to use my time wisely, to resist all temptations, and to serve my fellow Christians. As I carry out all my duties, may I glorify your name. Give me a watchful and active spirit, and wisdom as I choose my work, that I may do everything with the dignity of a Christian, and fill my time with actions of faith and charity, using and multiplying all the talents you have given me, my Lord, and finally enter my master’s happiness; for your mercy’s sake. Amen.

Source: Jeremy Taylor (1613–1667), revised from Prayers Ancient and Modern.

Prayers Ancient Made Modern (annotated) is available in print and on Amazon Kindle through Amazon.com.

Based on Prayers Ancient and Modern originally selected and arranged by Mary Wilder Tileston, 1897. Now in public domain.

The Changes and Varieties of the World

Guide us, Lord,
in all the changes and varieties of the world;
that we may have evenness and tranquility of spirit:
that we may not grumble in adversity
nor grow proud in prosperity,
but in serene faith surrender our souls
to your most divine will;
through Jesus Christ our Lord.

Source: From Jeremy Taylor, 1613-1667

Source of this version: Modified from https://prayersascending.blogspot.com/

Original in traditional English:

Guide us, Lord, in all the changes and varieties of the world; that we may have evenness and tranquility of spirit: that we may not murmur in adversity nor in prosperity wax proud, but in serene faith resign our souls to thy divinest will; through Jesus Christ our Lord.

You Have Called Me

O Lord, you have called me to open my hand,
that you might fill it:
but I would not open it;
I held the world fast,
and kept my hand shut,
and would not let it go.
But you alone can open it for me;
not my hand only, but my mouth;
not my mouth, but my heart also.
Grant that I may know nothing but you,
account all things a loss compared with you,
and endeavor to be transformed
to be like you.

Source: From Jeremy Taylor, 1613-1667

Source of this version: Modified from http://anglicanhistory.org/taylor/worthy/7.2.html

Original in traditional English:

Thou hast called unto me to open my hand, and thou wouldest fill it: but I would not open it; I held the world fast, and kept my hand shut, and would not let it go. But do thou open it for me; not my hand only, but my mouth; not my mouth, but my heart also.

Grant that I may know nothing but thee, account all things loss in comparison of thee, and endeavour to be made conformable to thee, …